Avon Wildlife Trust published a 10-year strategy back in 2020, but a lot has changed in our sector, and for nature, during the last six years.  When I joined the Trust just over a year ago, our Board of Trustees were keen for me to lead a strategy review to ensure it continued to reflect our ambition and our vision.

The word strategy can sound a bit dry, so it was important to create a document that would inspire our dedicated staff and volunteers and would develop and strengthen the partnerships that are key to nature’s recovery.

It has been a real privilege to lead this piece of work, as a collaborative iterative process, involving Trustees, the Senior Leadership Team, and the wider staff here at Avon Wildlife Trust. 

We’re really proud of our new strategy to 2030 and our refreshed plan for the next five years, and we are united in our direction of travel. 

Read our refreshed strategy for 2030

Avon Wildlife Trust was formed in 1980, and we are the longest-established environmental charity working across Bath and Northeast Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Our strong track record of creating, restoring and protecting valuable habitats for nature puts us at the forefront of tackling the challenges of both ecological and climate breakdown.

Nature connection has been an important part of my career, including my time at London Wildlife Trust leading the development of innovative urban projects that improved access to nature. Connecting people with nature remains one of our key priorities at Avon Wildlife Trust too. We draw on our vast experience of listening to and supporting communities to take local action for nature. Access to nature is a right, not a privilege.

Our region has an amazing array of different habitats, and we are working across them all. From our urban roots to the breathtaking levels and moors, through woodland to precious grasslands, we have exciting opportunities to transform landscapes and connect important habitats that enable species to flourish. 

Our refreshed strategy arrives at an important time as we welcome the publishing of another important document, the State of Nature report for the West of England. While the headlines for species are stark, there is hope in the report that highlights the work being done across our region to reverse declines and boost recovery. Produced by the West of England Combined Authority and the West of England Partnership, the State of Nature report is also a strong example of how a collaborative approach to nature’s recovery is essential for a nature-positive future.

Avon Wildlife Trust held an event last week, called The Big Nature Conversation, to discuss our new strategy with partners and decision makers in our sector. Despite the many challenges facing nature, it was uplifting to focus on the initiatives that are already making a difference and to discuss new partnership opportunities. From the community leaders in our Wildlife Champions programme, to the transformation of landscapes at Ebdon Farm and our work on the North Somerset Levels and Moors, there is hope for a flourishing future for wildlife and people together.

Read our refreshed Strategy 2030